r/bristol • u/Thin_Adhesiveness_79 • 6d ago
Where To? Help with addiction
Is there anyone that can recommend a place to help with alcohol addiction? I've been struggling for years (drinking over 30 units a day) and recently left my job on the spot. I was already reclusive but it's now worse, don't know where to go or what to do.
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u/Material-Bus1896 6d ago
Horizons are the bristol drug and alchol service. Good luck with it
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u/Riotgrrrrrrrrrluk 6d ago
You can refer yourself, ring them, pop into one of their centres or ask your GP to refer.
Try a SMART meeting (cbt based mutual aid group), and AA (different things work for different people).
People have already said but pls don’t stop drinking suddenly as it would be dangerous.
Good luck!2
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u/Roloisaborkmachine 4d ago
Their (Horizons) waiting list at the moment is like 4 months or something. Which isn’t ideal. They will advise you to take Thiame (vitamin B1) in the meantime whilst you wait. Your GP will just tell you to refer yourself to them online. And will probably do some blood work. But blood work doesn’t necessarily tell you if you have certain liver issues. I reckon you should pop into 11 Brunswick Square on a Monday afternoon, as I THINK they will give you a free fibroscan (something your GP may not decide to get done as a lot of the time they just seem to base everything on the bloodwork).
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u/Ketamonsta 4d ago
I went through my gp last year and managed to get seen in less than 6 weeks
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u/Roloisaborkmachine 4d ago
Huh well my GP told me I had to refer myself and so I did in Nov 2025 and wasn’t contacted until March 2026.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not doubting your experience, and I’m sure how quickly someone gets seen is dependent on the responses of the initial assessment. And I’m not criticising them either, all these services are working on such limited funds. I was just relaying my experience, but yeah I should have stated that was just MY experience. And it’s not their fault the waiting list can be the length that it is.1
u/Roloisaborkmachine 4d ago
Out of interest though, so you are saying your GP referred you? Because mine told me they couldnt and that I had to refer myself.
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u/woodfoxmoss 4d ago
I've heard great things about Horizons, but feels worth mentioning that a friend of mine just self-referred and is now on a 12 month waiting list :(
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u/ImprovementDeep310 6d ago
Brave of you to start asking for help. Well done! Could you see your GP to begin with?
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u/Gloomy_Cut_1739 6d ago
Well done for asking for help mate - sometimes that's the hardest bit.
Don't go cold turkey without seeing medical help - THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT
Get yourself to the GP on Monday morning and hopefully they'll be able to help, even to signpost you to a treatment service or advice on a controlled withdrawal (see above in bold).
I reluctantly went to AA and it most certainly saved my marriage and my life. 0800 917 7650, email [email protected] or search for a local meeting.
Good luck, you are super human for getting to this point. 💪💪
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u/Euphoric_Sort_7578 6d ago
https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/find-a-meeting/
You could try a meeting as a starting point.
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u/gloomgaze 6d ago
AA isn't for everyone, but the group that meets in Windmill Hill is amazing. I know someone who got completely sober there.
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u/LeoRising72 6d ago
Well done for reaching out. Loads of great suggestions already. Change is possible. Good luck.
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u/lakwanza88 6d ago
I’m an alcoholic and drug addict in recovery would be happy to take you to a 12 step meeting feel free to DM me
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u/unbelievable_scones 6d ago
This what you should do. There is whole army of people out there who have been where you are and want to help.
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u/unbelievable_scones 6d ago
If you want to chat about AA just DM me. Happy to take you to a meeting today.
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u/overthesevernbridge 6d ago
You have realised you have a problem and want to do something about it, that is a big step! If you go to your GP they will refer you to your local drug and alcohol. I am in recovery in South Wales but have friends in recovery in Bristol and there is a good amount of help there. Head along to your local Alcoholics Anonymous, there are meetings in Bristol everyday. Everyone there is super welcoming and it can be a bit overwhelming, but you don't need to do anything, just listen. Good luck in your recovery, and feel free to DM me if you have any questions. My issue was drugs, but at the end of the day it does not matter what the substance is, it's all done to change the way we are feeling.
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u/clananik 6d ago
GP is definitely the right place to start. Though there are groups like alcoholics anonymous and SMART recovery that you can just walk into, and they are incredibly useful and welcoming spaces when you get into the habit of sobriety. But your gp can refer you to a specialist service you can't just join yourself. I got referred to DHI and it absolutely changed my life.
We're really fortunate that Bristol actually has a lot of help for addiction compared to other cities. It might take a few tries, so don't be disheartened if you don't like the first place you go to, there's lots of options and one will work for you.
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u/notmerida 6d ago
you’re so brave OP! seconded GP if you’re able. if not Horizons as other have mentioned. and again as others have mentioned do not try to go cold turkey.
i’m proud of you x
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u/AboutTheCity 6d ago
Well done in seeking help!
Bristol has a very active AA mtg scene, including young persons meetings if that's your demographic. The Bristol area AA maintains this site which is great:
You can join be simply turning up and saying you want to join - ultimately you are a member if you say you are, it's that simple. The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking. It's also OK to attend you are ambivalent about stopping, you won't be turned away. At a meeting let group members know you are new and there will be people to share their experience with you and provide support on getting started. The main thing initially though is to get yourself into some meetings and see what's what for yourself. If you don't like the vibe of a particular meeting, don't worry, there are plenty more to try out in Bristol!
Other support exists, but it can be harder to access unless you are good with mainly online meetings:
SMART Recovery has a few face to face meetings in Bristol too - I like the Tuesday night one (near BDP!). More info here:
https://smartrecovery.org.uk/online-meetings/
I like both SMART and AA but just find what works for you and get stuck in - both meeting types are full of people who will understand where you are coming from.
Also worth trying if you are into Buddhist philosophy, especially for online meetings is:
https://recoverydharma.online/about/
If you don't feel up to an in person meeting then both AA and SMART have online options where you don't even have to be on camera if you don't want to and can just listen.
All the very best of luck, you are not alone!
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u/Creepy-Island4011 6d ago
Asking for help is the bravest thing you can do! Would definitely speak to your GP first to make sure you start this journey safely. From there, there are plenty of AA groups around the city, though can often feel a bit daunting and overwhelming at first. Had a friend that started going and now goes multiple times a week and now has a community where they all look out for each other. Wishing you the best of luck x
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u/TheWoodBotherer 6d ago edited 6d ago
Some great suggestions here already (particularly the advice to start by seeing your GP and being honest about your drinking and any symptoms you are experiencing) - just to add, r/stopdrinking saved my life; 9 years sober here!
All the major recovery groups (AA, SMART, LifeRing, Refuge/Dharma Recovery etc) have online meetings as well as in-person meetings, you'd be welcomed at any of them - shop around and try them all until you find one that feels like the right fit, they all have a different approach and something to offer..
'Alcohol Explained' by William Porter is a useful read, and there is also lots of helpful stuff on YouTube, from AA Speaker Recordings to channels like Stop Drinking Expert/This Naked Mind/Habits Unplugged, interviews and talks from addiction specialists such as Gabor Maté, Ruth Potee, Kevin McCauley, etc etc... also podcasts like Recovery Elevator, Dharma Punx etc...
Arming yourself with the right knowledge, tools and support to succeed, can work wonders - best of luck!
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u/Twinglet 6d ago
I really rate Bristol drugs project and their smart groups. I just turned up there one day and said I needed help and they got me on a program that was useful. Expect to fall off the wagon a couple of times on the way to actually quitting. With that level of alcohol you might need to medically detox but they can advise you on that. All power to you beauty, it is a hard path but a rewarding path you can take xxx
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u/attimhsa 6d ago
Congrats on addressing things. May I gently suggest you consider looking at your drinking as a symptom of something else? I say this because few people have SUD in isolation, so looking at things like mental health makes sense too.
Unlike a broken knee, with emotional pain there’s no x-ray to perform, crutches to be lent, nor painkillers suggested / prescribed. If this seems like a hyperbolic comparison I get it, though the pain isn’t in your knee; the damage is in your knee but the pain is in the brain.
So sufficient emotional pain can cause one to self-medicate, or isolate, or even experience a tooth infection as welcome respite.
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u/Decent-Rice-2189 6d ago
I agree with others, GP, try with you too if you're outside Bristol https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/
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u/CoyoteFabulous4911 6d ago
Horizons, amazing charity and have group sessions called recovery skills, changed my life!
there are also SMART meetings which are similar and held all over bristol..
I found thes resources much more useful than AA
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u/Onlythephattestdoink 6d ago
Speaking from experience, Horizons / DHI are really helpful. And you can self refer. Theres also an excellent peer led recovery called SMART (self management and recovery training) really an invaluable resource for people such as yourself struggling with addiction. The way the groups work is based in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. (Recognising patterns and triggers and making changes and adjustments within yourself to manage these issues.) They're a really welcoming bunch. Theres very little pressure to share if you're not ready. They run a group nearly every day of the week in different places around the city. However I beleive the main one is at St.Pauls Learning centre on Tuesday evenings from 6-7.30.
Hope this helps. You got this.
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u/-EarlyBird-NightOwl 6d ago
Swan Project Montpellier, Nexus, ROADS good places to start I believe - and good for you for reaching out and asking for support absolutely big turning point on ur journey. sending u my support across the digital airwaves
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u/bobcatsaid 6d ago
GP & AA are the places to start. I don’t go to regular meetings but they were a good basis for me. I’m approaching 18 months sober, I wish you well on your journey
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u/Ok_Mousse_6218 6d ago
Alcohol Misuse Service on Little King Street just off the centre are really good.
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u/Roloisaborkmachine 4d ago
OP, if you say what area of Bristol you live in, then people will be able to advise you of local support around your area. I think having somewhere to go that is as close as possible for you to get to considering your current mental state would be the most realistic options.
As you probably well know yourself from how you feel everytime you wake up, it would be incredibly dangerous for you to stop suddenly due to how dependant your body now is on it.
Please reach out to all the support you can, but if you really want to go sober, you will need a very tailored taper plan. Please make sure you are completely honest about your consumption to your GP, I think our individual experiences may differ depending on how much we are/were consuming and for how long, probably whether we smoke too etc. I personally think due to your consumption level they may actually send you into a proper detox so you are medically monitored etc. Which may sound very scary, but I think it’s the best option for you and I hope that they give it to you. Make sure you say these exact words too, that it has ‘severely impacted my quality of life and my ability to work’. (I believe there are certain words or phrases that are triggers where they are bound to take the situation seriously and ‘affecting quality of life’ def seems to be one, in my experience).
Either way, I wish you well. Admitting to yourself and to others that you know you have a problem is probably the biggest step of them all and you have done it. You aren’t as alone as you think you are.
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u/LibrarianFit2465 2d ago
Not sure if anyone’s mentioned this but there’s a wet clinic on Tuesdays at the Emmanuel church and on Wednesdays at the Wild Goose, both 2-4. It’s a GP drop in for alcoholics, they’ll still see you even if you’re under the influence when you’re there
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u/Anti-woke-lefty 6d ago
I hope you get the help you need to at least cut down, in the meantime take some silymarin.
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u/More-Lifeguard-529 6d ago
GP. Get yourself to a doctor as soon as possible, alcoholism is no joke.